The Red Cross hopes you can put some of the 'claret' to better use by donating blood at your local Blood service.

Queenslanders are being encouraged to donate in an interstate blood vs. blood challenge against the cockroaches.

At the moment the Blues are ahead in winning Game one and in blood donations, and community relations officer Barry Lynch is hoping more Queenslanders will help turn the tide.

"New South Wales are ahead in the blood battle, so we're hoping more Queenslanders band together, roll up their sleeves and give blood for their State to ensure victory over the Blues", he said.

"There are still some appointments available at the Bundaberg donor centre every day in the lead up to Game 2 so we would encourage anyone to call up or visit our website to book their donation today.

"It's pretty tight still. We've got about three weeks until the end of the series so at the moment we do need Queenslanders to roll their sleeves up and donate for their state."

Nationally, there are on-average 27,000 donations per week. The Bundaberg blood service makes up around 150 of that total, a figure Barry says is fantastic but there is always room for more people to donate.

"We're really happy with the support the local Bundaberg community are giving us," he said.

"Winter is a particularly critical time for us to get donations because some people can't donate during winter because there are lots of flu bugs and colds going around.

"As always we could always do with more blood, there are always people who need blood."

One in three people will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, but at the moment only one in 30 people donate.